How do simple folk know not to buy and sell guns for profit??

[JohnGault]

If ignorance is no excuse, then why do we need lawyers and judges?

Look at your local classified adds and try to explain how people are selling plain stock guns for 100$ to 200$ over list price?

Everything is illegal, plain and simple.

Quote from Atlas Shrugged.

"Did you really think we want those laws observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them to be broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against... We're after power and we mean it... There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced or objectively interpreted – and you create a nation of law-breakers – and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Reardon, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with." ('Atlas Shrugged' 1957)

http://www.working-minds.com/ARquotes.htm

 

[kimbershot]

it's illegal to spit on the side walk, it's illegal to blah blah blah!!!!

if i buy a gun through a dealer and i decide i don't want that gun any more and i sell that gun--to a transferring dealer at a profit or a loss or break even--then it. i passed the background check to receive the goods and the potential buyer has to pass the background check also. this is still a free country, besides i am too busy looking for black helicopters.

 

[danez71]

I think its a good question if looked at with an open mind.

Its not uncommon at all for people to look at the news paper or free 'penny saver' type local papers and find things for sale including guns.

Its also not uncommon for people to go to garage sales and buy things only to hold their own garage sale or have a booth at a swap meet.

Believe it not, there are still millions of people in the USA that dont have the internet or even a library reasonably accessible to them. (A lot of people dont have a phone or TV or car either.)


Buy a bike at a garage sale for $25 sale it the next weekend for $45 is a way 10's of thousands or people make extra money.


A lot of cities (most?) have laws against "too many" garage sales as they consider it a business.

Unknowingly breaking that law .... and get a warning from the city.

Break the firearms laws ..... and go to jail for a long time.

The speed limit is posted on the side of the road. IE: active notification.

The firearms laws are passive notification and are not readily apparent.

There really isnt much specialized knowledge that if you can buy a bike for $25 could be a screaming deal and you know you could sell it same day to your neighbor.

I dont think there is much specialized knowledge that buying a gun for seemingly low price could also be a great deal.

But buy the gun with the same intention can result in jail.

 

[deadin]

How do simple folk know not to buy and sell guns for profit??

Taking the dictionary definition of "simple",(i.e. : noun: an ignorant, foolish, or gullible person.), they probably don't, but they are playing with fire.

 

[bushmaster1313]

I said simple to mean not legally sophisticated.

 

[bikemutt]

I think the OP's original point is not concerned with single, or even infrequent buying and selling activity, it's about "scouring the Internet auctions and gun shows".

Maybe it's just me but anyone who's continually searching for products to acquire at below market prices with the intent to sell these items at market or better prices and thereby make a profit, is clearly engaged in a business endeavor. While I wish the person great prosperity and business success, it's pretty well known that in just about all situations one or more business licenses may be required. It's incumbent on the business person to verse themselves in the regulatory environment in which they operate.

In the case of being in the business of buying and selling guns, a FFL is one of several such licenses that are part of the regulatory environment. Operating without one is playing with fire.

 

[Brockak47]

I'm pretty sure it's not illegal unless you are trying to make a living off it, in that case you need a FFL right?

at least that's the impression I have always had. I personally don't care either way- if I come across a good deal I will buy the firearm regardless

 

[Rail Driver]

Nevermind, already answered

 

[Bubbles]

I'm pretty sure it's not illegal unless you are trying to make a living off it, in that case you need a FFL right?

Nope, if that were the only criteria a lot of folks with licenses could get rid of them. "In the business" <> "making a profit".

 

[JohnBT]

"but supposedly you can legally sell off a personal collection as long as you have no reason to believe the purchaser(s) are prohibited"

There is no "supposedly" about it. You can.

But I wouldn't want to get caught buying a large new "collection" 2 weeks later and selling it off the following week.

John

 

[JohnBT]

"I said simple to mean not legally sophisticated."

Everyone knew that. Almost everyone.


1. easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.: a simple matter; simple tools

 

[deadin]

Jeez, don't you people read Smilies??

 

[Owen Sparks]

What constitutes a business?
If you occaisonaly sell something for cash and even make a profit, as long as you don't make a bank deposit there is no record.

 

[bikemutt]

What constitutes a business?

This:

...make extra money by scouring the Internet auctions and gun shows for good deals, receive all purchases via legal transfer through an FFL, resell the guns online for a profit, and ship all guns to the buyers for legal transfer through an FFL.

 

[mortablunt]

Well, it would be pretty obvious that a non FFL was in the trade if they showed up with a load of new guns and started selling them. It doesn't really count as profiteering if you buy some guns, shoot them for a while, hang on to them, and sell them when you feel like trading out.